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JCI Queen Show Cancelled Again as Pageant Struggles Persist Regionally
The JCI Queen competition will not be held during this year’s Carnival celebrations in Antigua and Barbuda, marking the second consecutive cancellation of the long-running event.
Organisers from the Junior Chamber International (JCI) cited high production costs and a regional decline in pageant participation as reasons for the decision.
The development was confirmed by Minister of Creative Industries Daryll Matthew during an interview on ABS’s First Look programme.
“It has been a staple on the Carnival calendar for decades,” Matthew noted.
“Last year, we managed to convince them to reconsider, but this year, they’ve once again indicated the show will not be taking place.”
According to the minister, the challenges facing the JCI Queen Show are not unique to Antigua. He said similar events across the Caribbean have been scaled back or cancelled in recent years due to rising expenses, including travel and accommodation costs for contestants and production teams.
“Queen pageants generally throughout the region have been cancelled,” Matthew said. “They are tremendously expensive to put on.”
Last year’s show was salvaged at the last minute thanks to intervention from private sponsors.
Matthew expressed hope that a similar effort could materialize again but acknowledged that time is running short.
“We will see what transpires,” he said. “Cruise Port stepped up big time last year to help save the show. Let’s hope another sponsor comes on board.”
The JCI Queen Show has historically served as a platform to showcase poise, intellect and cultural expression, and has been a flagship event on the national Carnival calendar.
Its absence leaves a noticeable gap in the festivities, even as preparations ramp up for what is expected to be one of the most vibrant Carnivals in recent memory.
Despite the setback, Minister Matthew reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting Carnival in its broader form and called on private stakeholders to help sustain its key events.
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Not true! Up to last year, there were several regional pageants in which Antigua and Barbuda participated. Another bold-faced lie!
Your committee might as well cancel the local Queen as well since after “careful screening”” it can only find five (5) contestants???? Who has money to waste. Fat chat Minister! All froth and no beer!
Mi heart heavy—Jaycees Queen Show done cancel again?
After the 2024 show returned with such energy, this is unexpected.
Dem young ladies train hard all year—now dis?
It’s disheartening to see such a historic event face repeated cancellations.
Mi remember when Jaycees was di highlight of Carnival!
The AI queens, the real queens of the alphabet soup crew nor the trannies would have any problems getting sponsorship. All they have to do is whine and skin out in their naked dresses and costumes. Let the trannies managed the show. They can call it the Rue Paul review!
No Queens left?
All Gen Z Jezebels?
Good. I hope this time it’s final.
Not because women aren’t competing that means there aren’t qualified women out there.
We see it time and time again that women are graduating with high honours and advancing themselves. Women are making great strides in their careers.
They just don’t care to walk all the way braced back and smile and speak unnaturally.
To much friends and politcs in these competitions only when the final decisions are made on performances and not on politics/ *who know you* then it will continue to be an annual event…people tired of the BS….
#straightup..
@ Faithful National #1
Not that I doubt you, but if you are going to be a reporter you can’t just broad brush it.
What are the regional pageants in which Antigua and Barbuda participated in last year?
Also, you contradicted yourself and helped to prove the point why the show should be cancelled……” Who has money to waste.”
How about we have it at the end of each year? That way, all the all of the islands have a chance to put on their local queen shows and secure funding.
Just a suggestion…..